Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his audiometric testing did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the audiometric results did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active service, including any noise exposure or acoustic trauma, and did not manifest within a year of his discharge.

The Board has determined that service connection for hypertension, bilateral metatarsus varus of the feet, and left ear hearing loss disability is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to service, while his tinnitus is not. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's hearing loss in the right ear is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, tinea pedis, and low back strain were denied. The claim for service connection for tinnitus was not addressed as it is not part of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of right ear hearing loss or asbestosis, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran does not currently have a diagnosed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability and the evidence does not establish that his current condition is related to service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and bladder and urinary incontinence are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking them to active service. Bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral knee disability were also denied as they are not related to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus, as well as his claim for service connection for a low back disability. The Board found that there was no credible evidence linking any current low back disability to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred or aggravated by active service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and finds that new evidence submitted by the Veteran raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. The private audiologist opined that the Veteran's current noise-induced hearing loss is related to his in-service exposure to weapons fire.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of cold injury, and arthritis secondary to back injury and cold weather injury. The claim for a compensable rating for anal fistula and external hemorrhoids was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed PTSD and hearing loss conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various disorders he attributes to an adverse reaction to inoculations received during his Army Reserve service. The Board has ordered additional medical records and personnel records be obtained, as well as in-patient treatment records from the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center and Ireland Army Community Hospital.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as evidenced by a lack of in-service complaints or treatment for these conditions. The VA examiner found no evidence linking the current hearing loss and tinnitus to service exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination and review of the claims file to determine if his hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.